Ad99998 04 011a/eng
Verschiedene Arten von Eidechsen
Beschreibungstext eng
Amphibia XIII. Vol. IV. No. 9., VARIETIES OF THE LIZARD., Fig. 1. The Stink. (Lacerta Stincus.), This sort of Lizard lives in most parts of Africa and Asia, and feeds on aromatic herbs. It is from 6 to 8 inches long, is entirely cover'd with scales, its colour light and dark yellowish-red mix'd with white. The colours grow paler when it dies. The head and tail are in a strait line with the rest of the body, so that one might take it at a little distance for a little fish. It lives as well in the water as on land. It was us'd in antient times as a corroborative for weak bodies, and it is put to the same use even at present in the East. It is taken dried as a powder, or boild when fresh and drank in the form of a decoction. On this account the common Egyptians industriously go after the Scinc, collect them and sell them at Cairo or Alexandria, whence they are further exported., The common Lizard. (Lacerta agilis.), Fig. 2. The Male. Fig. 3. The Female., The common Lizard inhabits chiefly the southern parts of Europe, yet it is also found in many parts of Germany. The address and quickness of its motions render this elegant little animal, which is by no means venomous, particularly agreeable; it is very fond of warmth, and hence it is chiefly found in spring, when it wakes at the first appearance of végétation out of its winter-sleep, lying on turf banks and dry places in the fun. But the moment they perceive any one, they glide frighten'd into their holes. Their food consists of flies and other little insects, which they are very expert in catching. They are also prejudicial to the beehives. The common Lizard is 6 inches long. Its head is triangular and flat. Each foot it provided with five toes, with crooked nails. The back of the male (Fig. 2.) in of a greyish brown, ornamented with three rows of black and white spots. The back of the female (Fig. 3.) is reddish brown and the belly yellowish., Fig. 4. The Stellion. (Lacerta Stellio.), The Stellion lives in many parts of Africa, in Egypt and Palaestine and at the Cape. It is 4 inches long and is entirely cover'd with little spikes. It is of a marbled brown, white, and greenish colour. The most particular circumstance attending this little animal is, that its excréments are collected in the neighbourhood of the Egyptian Pyramids, they are falsely call'd crocodiles dung, and are an object of commerce, as they are us'd in Turkey as paint,
